Police say he got into the car and then threatened the driver with a weapon, believed to be a knife.

The driver tried to fight the man off and the passenger squirted him with an unknown liquid before jumping out of the car and running off empty handed.

Rectory Road in Gateshead

The driver received a minor injury to his hand and went to hospital to be checked out.

The offender is described as being around 25 to 30 years old, clean shaven and spoke with a Scottish accent. He was wearing a black jacket, dark trousers and a balaclava type mask that covered his head and chin.

He booked the taxi under the name ‘William’.

Police inquiries are ongoing into the incident and anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 ext 69191 quoting reference number 97 27/10/15.